Best-laid Test plans threatened by injury

Australia's fast bowlers have the knowledge and plans to exploit England's batting this summer, but depth poses a significant threat to their Ashes bid.

The selectors are expected to name a 13-man squad on Tuesday for the first Test in Brisbane starting on November 21, with Queenslander Ben Cutting emerging as a bolter.

An injury crisis amongst the nation's top quicks couldn't have come at a worse time for Australian cricket, but Cutting believes there's enough talent waiting in the wings - and he's discovered first hand that their bowling plans are strong.

Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson are set to form the grunt of the attack for the Gabba, while Cutting is competing with Ben Hilfenhaus and Chadd Sayers to be a potential fourth bowler picked in the squad as cover.

The 26-year-old stood out for Australia A on day four against England in Hobart on Saturday, knocking over Jonathan Trott and Gary Ballance and unlucky not to snare Joe Root lbw.

Cutting revealed he was following a bowling plan outlined for him by Test spearhead Harris, indicating Australia feel they have most of their opponents sized up.

Trott is vulnerable to the short ball, while Root has consistently battled against the full delivery - and Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior are fighting fitness battles 11 days out from the first Test.

"Leading into this game when I found out I was going to be bowling, I talked at length to Ryan Harris about bowling plans," said Cutting, who has been in the frame before only to be set back by injury.

"He did so well in England I couldn't think of a better person to ring and talk to...so I thought I'd run with that and give that a go myself."

Selectors didn't want to give too much away regarding bowlers and plans in the Australia A clash but, despite the rain interruptions, there were some clear pointers.

Australia A wicketkeeper Tim Paine said England's new opener Michael Carberry is suspect in the gully region, Ballance can barely score a run and Prior's potential replacement behind the stumps, Jonny Bairstow failed in four Tests against Australia in the winter.

England's anchor, captain Alastair Cook scored 154 against Australia A but was vulnerable to the moving ball early through the last series, and if Pietersen's knee injury keeps him out of Brisbane, the tourists will be without their most pivotal batsman.

Run-machine Ian Bell is the one nut Australia are yet to crack in 2013.

However, Australia's best-laid plans may go to waste if a Harris or Siddle breaks down.

With Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Jackson Bird and now Josh Hazlewood and Doug Bollinger on the casualty list, options are running thin.

Johnson was dangerous but expensive in his return first-class match for WA, but Test great Glenn McGrath said the left-armer was ready to overcome his Ashes demons.

"He has to play. I think he'll play a big part in this series," McGrath said.

"I've been impressed with what I've seen. He had a few issues, probably a little bit technically but just as much mentally, and he did some work with Dennis Lillee and really sorted them out."

Shane Watson (hamstring) is on track to at least bat in the first Test, but No.2 allrounder James Faulkner is likely to be picked in the squad as back-up.

George Bailey is set for a Test debut at No.6.

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